Single-crystalline nanotubes of spinel lithium nickel manganese oxide with lithium titanate anode for high-rate lithium ion batteries

Single-crystalline nanotubes of LiNi0.473Mn1.473Al0.054O4 (LNMAO-NT) have been synthesized and evaluated as cathode using LNMAO-NT/Li half cell and LNMAO-NT/Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) full cell, respectively. Galvanostatic charge/discharge tests show that the LNMAO-NT half cell exhibits discharge capacity of 118 mAh g−1 and specific energy (calculated only based on the cathode material) of 508 Wh kg−1 at 5 C. Two types of full cells (LTO-limited and LNMAO-NT-limited cell) are constructed using three-electrode configuration. Measurement results reveal that LTO-limited full cell has a lower cathode potential vs. Li metal than LNMAO-NT-limited one at the end of cutoff voltage. The LNMAO-NT/LTO full cell exhibits discharge capacity of 158 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C and 120 mAh g−1 at 10 C, respectively, showing superior high-rate capability of LNMAO-NT. In addition, 87% of capacity retention of the LNMAO-NT/LTO full cell can be achieved after 200 cycles at 5 C, indicating good structural stability of one dimensional LNMAO-NT. Moreover, study of in situ Raman spectra at different potentials reveals good structural reversibility during charging and discharging process, indicating that LNMAO-NT would be one of the most promising high-voltage cathodes for high power lithium ion batteries.

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► LiNi0.473Mn1.473Al0.054O4 single-crystalline nanotubes (LNMAO-NT) were synthesized.
► LNMAO-NT half cell exhibits capacities of 130 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C and 118 mAh g−1 at 5 C.
► Two types of LNMAO-NT/Li4Ti5O12 full cells were studied by three-electrode test.
► LNMAO-NT shows superior integral structure stability upon long-term cycling.
► In situ Raman spectra at different potential reveal good reversibility of LNMAO-NT.